
African Pilot Magazine:
Airlines

ACMI in Africa: Insights from AviaDev panel
At AviaDev Africa 2025, aviation leaders discussed how ACMI leasing can help African airlines scale operations amid rising costs and supply chain constraints.

Proflight Zambia Champions a Connected Continent
Proflight Zambia calls for aligned policies, infrastructure upgrades, and PPPs to drive air connectivity and unlock Africa’s regional aviation potential.

Angola and Côte d’Ivoire Sign Air Services Agreement, Enabling TAAG Route Between Luanda and Abidjan
Angola and Côte d’Ivoire sign an open skies air services agreement, enabling TAAG’s planned Luanda–Abidjan route and advancing African aviation integration.

Qatar Airways Resumes Flights to Kigali, Rwanda, Increasing Its Network in Africa to 30 Destinations
Qatar Airways resumes Doha–Kigali flights, expanding its Africa network to 30 destinations and reinforcing partnerships with RwandAir and Bugesera Airport.

Angolan Ministry of Transport and Boeing Sign Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation to Strengthen Angola’s Aviation Sector
The Angolan Ministry of Transport has signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Boeing to modernise the national aviation sector. This partnership, involving TAAG Linhas Aéreas de Angola, focuses on fleet development, technical capabilities, and long-term industry growth.

EGYPTAIR Discloses Order for an Additional Six Airbus A350 Aircraft
EGYPTAIR has placed a firm order for six additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft, expanding its total order to 16 as part of its long-haul network and fleet modernisation strategy. The move supports sustainability goals and reinforces the airline’s partnership with Airbus.

South Africa’s Low-Cost Airlines Are Taking Off – Again
South Africa’s budget airlines are taking off — with FlySafair winning big, Airlink upgrading, and Mango possibly returning to the skies.

Ethiopian to Enhance Regional Operations with Two Twin Otter 300-G Aircraft Orders from De Havilland Canada
Ethiopian Airlines has ordered two Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft from De Havilland Canada to expand its regional operations and connect more remote destinations across Ethiopia and East Africa.

Kenya’s Safarilink to Acquire Six ERA Hybrid-Electric Aircraft from AURA AERO
Safarilink Airlines has signed a Letter of Intent with AURA AERO to acquire six ERA hybrid-electric aircraft. The 19-seater aircraft will support Safarilink’s transition to sustainable aviation and expand its eco-efficient safari and regional operations.

Airlink selects the Embraer E195-E2; plans to lease from Azorra
Airlink plans to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft from Azorra to enhance its fleet efficiency, expand its sub-Saharan African network, and reduce emissions. Deliveries are expected between 2025 and 2027.

Ethiopian Airlines Secures Top Honours at SKYTRAX 2025
Ethiopian Airlines was crowned Best Airline in Africa for the eighth consecutive year at the 2025 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, also winning in three additional categories including Best Business Class and Best Onboard Catering in Africa.
Reflecting on Kenya Airways in the Wake of Africa’s First IATA Ground Handling Conference
Kenya Airways hosted Africa’s first IATA Ground Handling Conference in Nairobi, spotlighting its leadership in safety, training, and sustainability. The event reinforced the airline’s role in shaping ground handling standards and promoting aviation growth across the continent.

Clarification on Mango Airlines Business Rescue and SAA’s role
South African Airways clarifies its role in Mango Airlines’ business rescue, confirming it has no oversight over Mango’s operations or financial matters. The process is led independently by the Business Rescue Practitioner as Mango moves toward a potential relaunch.

Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 50 Years of Service to Kigali, Rwanda
Ethiopian Airlines celebrates 50 years of service to Kigali, Rwanda, marking a major milestone in African air connectivity and regional development through expanded passenger and cargo operations.

KlasJet Partners with Air Cairo to Strengthen Seasonal Air Connectivity
KlasJet has partnered with Air Cairo under an ACMI agreement to operate seasonal charter flights from Milan and Sharjah to Cairo. The collaboration enhances connectivity and supports Egypt’s growing tourism sector through the 2025 summer season.

Airbus A330-900neo “Aapravasi Ghat” Returns to Mauritius After an Extended Maintenance Visit
Air Mauritius’ Airbus A330-900neo, Aapravasi Ghat, has returned to Mauritius after a three-month maintenance visit in Naples, complete with a renewed Airworthiness Review Certificate and scheduled inspections before re-entering commercial service.
Mozambique Tops List Of Countries Blocking Airlines’ Funds
IATA reports $1.3 billion in airline funds blocked from repatriation as of April 2025, a 25% improvement from October 2024. Ten countries are responsible for 80% of the total.

Ethiopian Airlines Launches New Passenger Route to Sharjah, UAE
Ethiopian Airlines has launched a new four-times-weekly passenger service to Sharjah, UAE, expanding its Middle East network and reinforcing trade and tourism links between Africa and the Gulf region.

Passenger Growth Accelerates to 8% in April
Global air passenger demand rose 8% in April 2025, driven by strong international growth. IATA reports record load factors and regional travel trends.

Eswatini Signs Bilateral Air Services Agreements with Zambia and Zimbabwe
Eswatini has signed bilateral Air Services Agreements with Zambia and Zimbabwe during ICAO AFI Week, reinforcing its commitment to SAATM and regional air connectivity, while exploring training collaboration with South Korea.
Air Seychelles Welcomes Inaugural Flight From Abu Dhabi
Air Seychelles has resumed commercial flights to the Middle East with the arrival of its inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone in reconnecting Seychelles to key international markets and boosting tourism.

Africa’s Airlines Show Resilience Amid Global Aviation Recovery
Africa’s airlines show resilience in IATA’s 2025 outlook, with modest profit gains, rising demand, and bold moves from Ethiopian, Nigerian, and South African carriers.

Ethiopian Airlines Selects Panasonic Avionics Astrova for 777X Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines has selected Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova in-flight entertainment system for its upcoming Boeing 777X fleet, aiming to transform the passenger experience with 4K OLED displays, Bluetooth audio, and USB-C fast charging.

RwandAir Expands Offering with Launch of ‘RwandAir Holidays’ Platform
RwandAir launches its new 'RwandAir Holidays' platform, enabling passengers to book flights, accommodation, transfers, and local experiences in one place. The service reflects a growing trend in African aviation towards integrated travel solutions.

United Airlines Launches New Nonstop Year-Round Service Between Dakar and Washington D.C.
United Airlines launches its first-ever nonstop service between Dakar and Washington, D.C., operating three times weekly. This new route expands United's presence in Africa and offers travellers enhanced connectivity to the U.S. capital.

Minister for Transport Inaugurates Task Force to Establish Ghana’s National Airline
Ghana's Minister for Transport inaugurates a 10-member Task Force to lead the establishment of a new national airline, aiming to position the country as a strategic aviation hub in West Africa.

Emirates and Air Seychelles Form New Codeshare Agreement
Emirates and Air Seychelles have signed a new codeshare agreement, enhancing connectivity between Mahé and Praslin Island. The partnership supports seamless travel and extends Emirates’ network reach across the Seychelles.

EGYPTAIR Partners With SITA to Modernise Network Infrastructure for Future Growth
EGYPTAIR has partnered with SITA to modernise its network infrastructure with cloud-native, secure connectivity solutions, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, resilience, and passenger service across its expanding regional and international network.
